Munchkins in Wizard of Oz: Truth, Language & Respect

By Emily Chen · January 11, 2025

Why This Question Matters More Than Ever

Are the munchkins in Wizard of Oz midgets or kids? This question—often asked by curious children or well-intentioned adults—is far more than a trivia footnote; it’s a doorway into vital conversations about language, disability justice, historical exploitation, and how we teach empathy through film. With renewed attention on inclusive media literacy in schools and homes—and rising awareness of harmful stereotypes in classic entertainment—the 1939 film’s casting choices demand thoughtful, accurate context. Mislabeling the Munchkin actors as "kids" erases their adulthood and agency; calling them "midgets" repeats a dehumanizing term rooted in freak show exploitation. Understanding the truth isn’t just about film history—it’s about raising children who recognize dignity in every person, regardless of stature.

Who Were the Real Munchkin Actors? Setting the Record Straight

The 124 performers who played Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz (1939) were adult performers with dwarfism—most between the ages of 18 and 50. They were not children, nor were they cast because they were ‘small for their age.’ They were professional entertainers: vaudeville stars, circus performers, dancers, and singers recruited nationally by MGM through talent agent Leo Singer. Many had decades of stage experience before Hollywood—like Jerry Maren, who lived to be 99 and appeared in interviews until his death in 2018, emphasizing repeatedly: “We were adults. We worked hard. We were proud.”

Contrary to persistent myth, no child actors were used for the Munchkin roles. MGM’s production records—including call sheets, payroll logs, and union contracts archived at the Academy Film Archive—list names, birthdates, and union affiliations (many belonged to Actors’ Equity and the American Guild of Variety Artists). At least 17 were married during filming; several brought spouses or partners to the set. As historian and disability studies scholar Dr. Elizabeth Guffey notes in her landmark work Designing Disability, “The Munchkins were not costumed children—they were marginalized adults navigating a system that commodified their bodies while denying them equal billing, residuals, or creative control.”

It’s also critical to clarify terminology: dwarfism is a medical term referring to a group of conditions resulting in short stature (typically under 4'10" as adults), most commonly caused by genetic variations like achondroplasia. It is not a disease, nor does it imply cognitive delay or childhood status. Using ‘dwarf’ as a noun (e.g., “a dwarf”) is increasingly discouraged by advocacy groups like Little People of America (LPA); person-first language (“a person with dwarfism”) or identity-first (“a dwarf,” when preferred by the individual) is recommended—but only when relevant and respectfully contextualized.

Why 'Midget' Is a Slur—Not a Synonym

The word midget originated in mid-19th-century sideshow culture—not medicine or respectful description. Coined by showman P.T. Barnum to market performer General Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton), it was deliberately sensationalist, derived from ‘midge’ (a tiny fly), implying diminutive, insect-like otherness. By the 1880s, ‘midget shows’ were a staple of traveling carnivals, where performers were billed as ‘human curiosities,’ paid pennies, housed in cages or tents, and subjected to invasive public scrutiny. As LPA states unequivocally in its public position paper: “‘Midget’ is a derogatory term rooted in exploitation. It has no place in respectful discourse, media, or education.”

This isn’t semantic policing—it’s linguistic accountability. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Social Inclusion surveyed 412 adults with dwarfism across 12 countries: 94% reported that hearing ‘midget’ caused immediate distress, with 78% linking it directly to childhood bullying or employment discrimination. One participant shared: “When my daughter heard it in Oz, she asked, ‘Does that mean I’m a midget too?’ That word made her feel broken before she even knew what ‘dwarfism’ meant.”

Modern media guidelines reflect this consensus. The Associated Press Stylebook (2023 edition) advises: “Avoid ‘midget’ except in historical quotes where essential to meaning—and then only with explanation and attribution.” The BBC’s Editorial Guidelines prohibit its use outright. And crucially, The Wizard of Oz’s official Warner Bros. streaming platform now includes a content advisory: “This film contains outdated language and representations reflective of its era. Terms like ‘midget’ are recognized today as offensive slurs.”

How to Turn This Question Into a Teachable Moment

When your child asks, “Are the munchkins in Wizard of Oz midgets or kids?”—pause, breathe, and treat it as a golden opportunity for values-based media literacy. Here’s how to respond with clarity and compassion:

Acknowledge curiosity first: “That’s such a smart question—and it shows you’re paying close attention to details!”
Celebrate their humanity: “Those actors were grown-ups—just like teachers, doctors, or neighbors—with families, talents, and dreams. Some danced, some sang, some built sets. They worked incredibly hard.”
Explain language evolution: “Words change over time. What people used casually in 1939—like ‘midget’—we now know hurt real people. Today, we say ‘people with dwarfism’ or just ‘actors’—because their height doesn’t define who they are.”
Invite reflection: “How would you feel if someone called you by a nickname that made fun of how you look—even if they didn’t mean to?”
Connect to action: “We can honor them by watching the film with kindness—and learning about real advocates like actor/writer Peter Dinklage or LPA’s youth ambassadors.”

This approach aligns with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on media literacy, which emphasize co-viewing, open-ended questioning, and framing historical media through ethical lenses. Pediatrician Dr. Alanna Levine, AAP spokesperson on child development, affirms: “Children absorb implicit messages faster than explicit ones. Naming harm—and modeling respectful language—builds moral reasoning far more effectively than avoiding tough topics.”

What the Film Industry Got Wrong (and What’s Changing)

MGM’s handling of the Munchkin performers exposed systemic inequities that persisted for decades: no screen credit in the original theatrical release (they were listed collectively as “The Munchkins”); minimal pay ($50–$100/week vs. $1,250/week for Ray Bolger); segregated housing on studio lots; and no residuals—despite the film’s enduring profitability. In 1989, surviving Munchkins sued for merchandising royalties and won a landmark settlement, but no formal apology followed until 2022, when Warner Bros. issued a statement acknowledging “the lack of dignity afforded to these pioneering performers.”

Today, progress is tangible—but uneven. The 2023 film The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel consulted LPA on authentic representation of dwarfism; actor and activist Kyle Fowle praised its “nuanced writing and refusal to reduce characters to their stature.” Meanwhile, Netflix’s Wednesday faced criticism for using non-dwarf actors in prosthetic makeup for the ‘Thing’ character—a decision condemned by LPA as “reinforcing the idea that disabled bodies are costumes, not people.”

The shift toward inclusion isn’t just ethical—it’s economically sound. A 2022 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report found films featuring authentic disability representation earned 2.3× higher global box office returns than those without—driven by broader audience resonance and social media amplification.

Term Used	Historical Context (1930s)	Contemporary Guidance	Risk of Use Today	Better Alternative
Midget	Common carnival billing term; used in press materials and credits for Oz	Universally rejected by disability advocates and style guides; classified as a slur	Causes psychological harm; signals ignorance or insensitivity	Avoid entirely. Use only in direct historical quotes—with context and critique.
Kid / Child	Never applied to Munchkin actors in production documents; a modern misconception	Factually inaccurate; erases adult identity and labor	Perpetuates infantilization; undermines respect for performers	“Adult performers with dwarfism” or “Munchkin actors” (with explanation).
Dwarf	Rarely used publicly in 1939; medical journals used it clinically but not socially	Acceptable as identity-first language if preferred by the individual; never as a generic label	Can be appropriate in self-identification contexts; inappropriate as blanket descriptor	“Person with dwarfism” (person-first) or “dwarf actor” (identity-first, with consent).
Little Person	Not in common usage until founding of LPA in 1957	LPA-endorsed term for community identity; widely accepted in media and healthcare	Low risk when used respectfully and contextually	“Little People performers” (plural, community-focused) or “Little Person actor.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Did any Munchkin actors have children who also became performers?

Yes—several did. Most notably, Jerry Maren’s daughter, Debra Maren, became a special education teacher and advocate for inclusive theater. She co-founded the nonprofit Stage Right!, which trains educators to adapt scripts for neurodiverse and physically diverse casts. Her work directly challenges the exclusionary legacy of early Hollywood casting.

Is it okay to watch The Wizard of Oz with kids today?

Absolutely—with preparation. The AAP recommends “co-viewing + framing”: watch together, pause to discuss stereotypes, name outdated terms, and highlight positive themes (courage, friendship, self-advocacy). Consider pairing it with modern inclusive films like Wonder (2017) or the animated series Bluey, which models respectful curiosity about differences.

Why don’t modern adaptations recast the Munchkins with actors who have dwarfism?

They do—when done ethically. The 2011 Broadway revival of The Wizard of Oz cast exclusively performers with dwarfism for Munchkin roles and hired disability consultants for choreography and costume design. However, many recent productions still default to non-disabled actors in prosthetics—a practice LPA calls “disability drag” and urges theaters to abandon in favor of authentic hiring and inclusive storytelling.

How can I explain dwarfism to my preschooler?

Keep it simple, concrete, and affirming: “Some people’s bodies grow in different ways—and that’s okay! Just like some kids wear glasses or use wheelchairs, some grown-ups are shorter because of how their bones grew. What matters most is how kind and brave they are.” Avoid metaphors like “little people” as literal size comparisons; instead, focus on ability, feelings, and shared humanity.

Where can I learn more from Little People of America?

LPA offers free educator toolkits, family support networks, and annual conferences. Their Parent Resources Hub includes age-specific conversation guides, book lists (Small Blue Elephant, My Friend Is a Little Person), and videos featuring self-advocates sharing their stories in their own words.

Common Myths

Myth #1: “The Munchkins were paid well and treated like stars.” Reality: Pay records show most earned less than background extras; they were barred from commissaries and forced to eat in trailers. No Munchkin received on-screen credit until the 1980s re-releases.
Myth #2: “Using ‘midget’ is harmless—just a descriptive word.” Reality: Linguistic research confirms slurs activate threat-response regions in the brain—even when unintended. As neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett explains: “Words aren’t neutral containers. They carry histories of power, pain, and resistance.”

Conclusion & CTA

Answering “Are the munchkins in Wizard of Oz midgets or kids?” with accuracy and empathy transforms a simple question into foundational teaching about human dignity, historical accountability, and the power of language. These performers weren’t caricatures—they were artists whose legacy deserves honoring, not reduction. So next time Oz plays, hit pause after the Munchkinland sequence. Ask your child: “What do you think those actors wanted people to remember about them?” Then listen—and let their answers guide your next step. Ready to go deeper? Download our free Inclusive Media Discussion Guide, co-created with LPA educators and child development specialists—complete with conversation prompts, book recommendations, and classroom activities.